Health Checkup
Health checkup is a health screening that gathers information about an individual physical and mental health. The tests help identify risk factors, disorders, or diseases that may require further specialized examinations, allowing for the development of personalized treatment plans. These plans focus on prevention, behavior modification, and promoting long-term health and well-being.
What is in the Health Checkup Program?
Physical Examination and Vital Signs
Physical examination and vital signs inspect and measure general bodily function by checking 4 main parameters of the vital signs: heart rate (normal range 60–100 beats/minute), breathing rate (normal range 12–18 beats/minute), blood pressure (normal range 80–120 mmHg), and body temperature (normal range 36.5–37.2 degrees Celsius). High or low vital signs may indicate conditions or abnormalities that require additional diagnostic testing.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Complete blood count (CBC) measures the quantity and characteristics of all 3 types of blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to detect diseases or abnormalities such as anemia, thalassemia, infectious diseases, or leukemia.
Hepatitis A, B, C Viral Screening
Hepatitis A, B, and C viral screening test for antibodies against the hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, or hepatitis B viral antigen in blood plasma. Chronic viral hepatitis infection can cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
HPV Test
HPV test screens for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease or gynecological disease, looking for high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cell abnormalities, cervical cancer, or genital warts.
Sugar Profile
Fasting blood sugar (FBS) measures blood glucose after fasting for at least 8-10 hours. The normal range of blood glucose is 70-99 mg%. Individuals with blood sugar over 99 mg% are at risk of progressing to prediabetes. Individuals with persistent fasting blood sugar equal to or greater than 126 mg% have diabetes.
A1c test (HbA1c) measures the amount of hemoglobin bound to glucose (glycated hemoglobin), which reflects the average blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months. Normal HbA1c ranges from 4%-6.5%. Values between 5.7-6.4% are prediabetes. If the HbA1c is greater than or equal to 6.5%, the individual is considered diabetic.
Lipid Profile
Total cholesterol measures the amount of cholesterol in the blood lipoprotein particles, including HDL, IDL, LDL, and VLDL. Total cholesterol levels should be optimally less than 200 mg/dL. If over 200 mg/dL, the individual may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
LDL-cholesterol Test measures the amount of cholesterol contained within the low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C). LDL-C levels should be less than 130mg/dL. Individuals with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of cardiovascular disease should keep their LDL-C levels below 100 mg/dL.
HDL-cholesterol Test measures the number of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, or “good cholesterol." HDL participates in the reverse cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver. The normal HDL-C level in males is 40 mg/dL, and in females 50 mg/dL or higher. If the HDL-C level is lower than 40 mg/dL, an individual is at increased risk of coronary artery heart disease.
Triglyceride Test measures triglycerides in VLDL and IDL particles in the bloodstream. Triglycerides are saturated fats produced in the liver and stored as an energy reserve in fat cells. The blood triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL. Many healthcare professionals recommend an optimal level of less than 100 mg/dL. Moderately increased triglycerides are in the range of 200–249 mg/dL. An individual with a blood triglyceride level over 500 mg/dL is at high risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and fatty liver disease.
Kidney Function Test
BUN test measures the amount of blood urea nitrogen to evaluate liver and kidney function. BUN levels in people age over 17 are 6-24 mg/dL. In people under 17, it is 7-20 mg/dL. Individuals with high BUN levels may have impaired kidney function, excessive protein intake, gastrointestinal bleeding, dehydration, or heart failure.
Creatinine test assesses kidney function by measuring the amount of creatinine (Cr), a metabolic waste product from muscle metabolisms. The normal creatinine levels in males are 0.6–1.2 mg/dL, and in females are 0.5–1.1 mg/dL. Individuals with low creatinine levels may be due to muscle atrophy and low body weight. High creatinine levels reflect impaired kidney function or chronic kidney.
eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) calculates the volume of filtered blood by the kidneys per minute. Normal eGFR is 90 mL/min. An eGFR between 16–89 mL/min indicates subnormal kidney function. Individuals with an eGFR of less than 15 mL/min have stage IV to V kidney diseases.
Serum electrolyte measures sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. They help maintain bodily fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Bicarbonate (HCO3-) plays a role in maintaining blood pH and acid-base balance. Abnormal electrolyte levels can lead to various health problems, including muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, and confusion.
Liver Function Test
GGT (Gamma-glutamyltransferase) is a liver enzyme. Its primary role is the extracellular catabolism of glutathione, the major cellular antioxidant. There are associations of circulating serum GGT with various chronic conditions and diseases, including cardiovascular and nonvascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, risk of bone fracture, T2DM, future CKD, and all-cause mortality outcomes. GGT pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory activities may underlie this process. Increased BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and medication use are associated with elevated GGT.
ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) is an enzyme found in various tissues throughout the body, including the liver, bones, kidney, intestinal such mucosa, and placenta. The liver and bone are the primary sources of ALP in the blood. Conditions as bile duct obstruction, hepatitis, and cirrhosis can cause elevated ALP levels. The normal range of ALP is between 30–126 U/L. Individuals with ALP below 30 U/L may have hypothyroidism, celiac disease, and malnutrition. ALP levels above 126 U/L can be due to cholangiocarcinoma, bone cancer, biliary atresia, liver disease, bone disease, or other conditions.
AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of the amino group between aspartate and glutamate. It is present in various organs like the liver, heart, muscles, brain, and kidneys and is a nonspecific indicator of liver damage. Normal AST in men is between 8–46 U/L and in women 7–34 U/L. Individuals with high AST levels may have underlying hepatitis, cirrhosis, myocardial ischemia, pancreatitis, liver damage, alcoholic hepatitis, jaundice, viral hepatitis, or medication side effects. Individuals with low AST levels may have advanced cirrhosis, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, vitamin B6 deficiency, or cancer.
ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) is a liver cell enzyme released into the bloodstream when the liver cell is damaged. The normal range of ALT for men is 29-33 U/L., and in women is 19-25 U/L. Individuals with high ALT levels may have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver dysfunction, bile duct abnormalities, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, jaundice, excessive alcohol consumption, or medication-induced. Individuals with low ALT values are metabolically well. However, in some cases, it may indicate a vitamin B deficiency or chronic kidney disease.
Total protein test measures the total combined amount of 2 classes of proteins—albumin and globulin—in the blood. Albumin helps keep the fluid within the high-pressure vascular system, while globulin is a product of the immune system. Normal total protein levels for people 18 years and older are 6.0-8.3 g/dL and 5.7-8.0 g/dL for people aged 1–18. High total protein levels can be due to chronic inflammation or infections such as HIV, hepatitis, or bone marrow cancer. Low total protein levels can be due to malnutrition, kidney disease, or intestinal malabsorption.
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver processes bilirubin to make it more water soluble for excretion as bile. There are 2 types of bilirubin—direct (processed by the liver) and indirect (unprocessed). However, when there is an issue with liver function or bile flow, bilirubin can build up in the blood. Causes of high bilirubin levels are various liver diseases, hemolytic anemia and other liver diseases.
Tumor Markers
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a gastrointestinal tumor marker found in the blood or other bodily fluids at increased levels, particularly in GI cancer. However, some breast cancers can also produce CEA. Normal levels of CEA are between 2.5-5 ng/mL. Individuals with CEA greater than 100 ng/mL are at high risk for colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other diseases.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a blood protein elevated in liver and germline cancer. The normal range of AFP is between 0-15 IU/mL. Individuals with AFP above 400 IU/mL may be due to liver cancer, testicular cancer, liver disease, liver damage, or other conditions such as pregnancy.
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) is a tumor often used to screen for ovarian cancer. Normal CA-125 levels are between 0-35 U/mL. Individuals with CA-125 greater than 35 U/mL are at risk for ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer or other non-cancerous conditions such as pregnancy, endometriosis, or peritonitis. The doctor will conduct additional tests for a definitive diagnosis.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein sheds into the bloodstream by prostate cells. Normal PSA levels are less than 4.0 ng/mL. Elevated PSA may be due to prostate cancer, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infection, or other conditions.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is a breakdown product of purine metabolism excreted in the urine by the kidneys. Normal blood uric acid levels can vary slightly depending on the lab and the specific testing method. In males, they are 4.0-8.5 mg/dL and 2.7-7.3 mg/dL in females. Blood uric acid is affected by diet, alcohol, and medications and tends to increase with age. The solubility limit of urate in plasma at 37°C is 7.0 mg/dL; at a higher concentration, it is prone to crystal formation. Most people with gout have uric acid levels above 7 mg/dL. At extremely high uric acid levels, often exceeding 10-12 mg/dL, uric acid crystals can form in tissue, such as urate nephropathy, where uric acid crystals precipitate in the kidneys.
Urine and Stool Examinations
Urine exam provides valuable information about overall health. It helps diagnose various medical conditions, such as infections in the urinary system due to cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis, as well as diseases, such as gout, kidney stones, acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes.
Stool Exam and Stool Occult Blood Test look for evidence of blood in a stool sample that may signify colon cancer or other conditions such as colon polyps, gastrointestinal bleeding, or stomach ulcers, including detecting ascaris ova and parasites, white blood cells, and provides clues to the cause of diarrhea.
Medical Imaging
Chest X-ray (CXR) is a radiographic examination of the chest to detect abnormalities of the lungs and airways, such as lung cancer, pneumonitis, pneumonia, spots or lumps in the lungs, pulmonary artery, respiratory tract infections (ARI), and other diseases.
Ultrasound whole abdomen is an examination of the upper and lower abdomen with ultrasound to look for disease or abnormalities of the internal abdominal organs, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, fatty liver disease, gallstones, kidney stones, ovarian cysts, liver tumors, uterine masses, appendicitis, and other abnormalities.
Bone mineral density (BMD) measures the amount of calcium in the bone in various sites, e.g., hip bone, lumbar spine, forearm, wrist bones, hands, and whole-body skeleton, to diagnose osteoporosis. Normal T-score (a standardized measure comparing bone mineral density (BMD) measurements to the average BMD of a healthy young adult) ranges from -1 to +1. Individuals with a T-score between -1 and -2.4 have low bone density. Individuals with a T score lower than -2.4 have osteoporosis, low bone mass or thin bones, and a risk of bone fractures.
Cardiovascular Screening
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is a non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of your heart. Analyzing the electrocardiogram tracing, doctors can derive the heart rate and rhythm and infer the diagnoses of coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmia, heart block, heart valve disease, acute heart attack, and heart muscle disease. The heart rate between 60-100 beats per minute is in the normal range. Individuals with a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute have tachycardia.
Calcium Blood Test
Calcium Blood Test measures the total calcium in the blood, which helps control organ function and blood clotting. The normal level is between 8.5-10.2 mg/dL. Individuals with total calcium levels higher than 14.0 mg/dL have hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the blood), which can be due to overactive parathyroid glands, kidney disease, or cancer that has spread to the bones. Individuals with a total calcium level less than 8.5 mg/dL have hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood), which can be caused by the body losing calcium, low vitamin D levels, or side effects from disease or drug use, such as liver disease, kidney failure, or chemotherapy.
Complete Eye Exam
Complete Eye Exam is a screening test for eye diseases and abnormalities such as eye pain, blurred vision, spots in the eyes, cobwebs in the eyes, flashes of light, distorted color, a skin tag or lump in your eye, corneal injury, and blood clots in the retinal artery. The test typically includes visual acuity, color vision, visual field tests, slit lamp biomicroscope to provide a magnified view of intraocular structures, measuring of intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma, optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive imaging test to provide detailed images of the retina, and other procedures. Specific tests included in a complete eye examination may vary.
Cerebrovascular Examination
Carotid duplex ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the carotid and vertebral arteries in the neck to see if there are accumulated plaques in the wall of the blood vessels causing narrowing or blockage of the artery. This test checks blood flow in the carotid arteries and assesses the risk of ischemic stroke. In general, the narrower artery will have a higher risk of stroke.
Vitamins
Vit B-12 measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in the blood, which is necessary for organ and immune system function and aids in disease prevention. The normal vitamin B12 range is 200–900 pg/mL. Individuals with vitamin B12 levels below 200 pg/mL have a vitamin B12 deficiency. They are at risk for anemia, dementia, muscle weakness, digestive disorders, or beriberi.
Total vitamin D is a measurement of the amount of 25 (OH) vitamin D. The active form of vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, essential for the formation and strengthening of bones and teeth and the prevention of osteoporosis. Normal vitamin D levels in the blood are 30 ng/mL or above. Individuals with 25 (OH) vitamin D less than 20 ng/mL are vitamin D deficient and at risk of rickets (poor bone mineralization) in children and osteoporosis in adults.
Health Checkup | Annual Health Checkups
Health checkup and annual health checkups are vital health examinations that allow early detection of diseases and other abnormalities. Doctors advise yearly health checkups to evaluate overall health and risk factors, enabling accurate prognosis, treatment planning, and timely intervention if necessary. Early detection of diseases significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
